Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust is expected to miss at least six weeks with a lower-body injury, head coach Dan Muse said Thursday.
He will be re-evaluated in six weeks, with the injury set to sideline him into December.
Rust, who sustained the injury during Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Utah Mammoth, has three goals and five points in seven games this season. He has been a significant contributor this season, averaging 17:22 of ice time - which includes just 9:32 against Utah.
The 34-year-old winger posted 29 goals and 65 points in 72 games last season, marking three straight seasons with at least 28 goals and 55 points.
He is under contract through the 2027-28 season at a cap hit of $5.125 million.
Rust was placed on injured reserve Thursday along with Ben Kindel, who suffered a medical episode on the team’s flight home from Utah Monday. The news appears to be positive on Kindel, with general manager Kyle Dubas stating Thursday he could return to practice as soon as Sunday.
With the two forwards sidelined, Pittsburgh called up forward Rutger McGroarty and defenceman Chase Pietila to fill their roster spots.
McGroarty is off to a flying start in the AHL this season, posting four goals and nine points in six games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He posted three goals and six points in 24 games with the Penguins last season.
Pietila has two assists in five games with the AHL Penguins this season. The 2024 fourth-round pick has not yet made his NHL debut.
The Penguins are scheduled to host the Florida Panthers on Thursday.